Category: Apple Troubleshooting

If you were using OS X Server in macOS Sierra then upgraded to macOS High Sierra, you are probably wondering what in the world happened to the Time Machine Option in OS X Server. A good discussion is going on about the question here, but we do have a solution for you:

As it turns out that Apple decided that Time Machine sharing will now become a part of macOS instead of Server 5.4. You can now used a shared Folder as a Time Machine backup destination using the Sharing preferences in your macOS System Preferences.

According to the Mac Help instructions, to Set up a shared Time Machine backup folder,

Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Sharing.

Select the File Sharing checkbox.

Click the Add button + at the bottom of the Shared Folders list.

Navigate to and select the folder you want to use for sharing, then click Add.

Select the name of the shared folder, click Options, then make sure “Share files and folders using SMB” is selected and “Share files and folders using AFP” is not selected.

Control-click the name of the folder, then choose Advanced Options.

Select “Share as a Time Machine backup destination.”

If desired, select “Limit backups to,” then enter a size.

Click OK.

The question remains, though, of how do you know your remote devices are currently being backed up or how much of their backup has been done and how much is left?

To hide the hidden files again, just type the same command but replace YES with NO as follows

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles NO

After typing the appropriate command, look for your Finder icon (most likely on your Dock), then right-mouse click on it while holding the Option/Alt key of your keyboard. This will display a contextual menu from which you click Relaunch, to relaunch the Finder browser with your new visibility settings applied.

Now, if all you are looking for is how to display your Library folder in your user home folder, we have the steps in this short guide.

You probably just want to jump straight to the solution. So, here it is:

Unplug all peripheral devices from your computer.

While holding Option + Command + R + P, Power Up the computer, listen for 1st chime, then 2nd chime, then immediately release all the keys you were holding and watch the computer come to life.*

Proceed to backing up your data onto an external hard drive or other solution you have at hand for backup and remember to backup on a regular basis.

You are good to go!

Now, What Does Command + Option + R + P Do?

Glad you asked! I did not know either. But I looked That key combination helps reset the NVRAM, sometimes called PRAM, on your Mac. The PRAM is a type of Non-Volatile RAM on your computer that stores some important parameters about your computer’s peripheral devices. This is why you are to unplug all peripheral devices as a first step of this troubleshooting.

According to Apple, “If you experience issues with sleep, wake, power, charging your Mac notebook battery, or other power-related symptoms, you might need to reset the SMC (System Management Controller),” which involves a different set of keys.

Lessons Learned From This Case of Mac Troubleshooting

Lesson Numero Uno: Always backup your computers! It is an investment worth it considering that most external hard drives cost way less than the price of a brand new computer. So, get on the Internet and look up best ways to backup your type of computer and go ahead and do it. You can also just ask your trusted and proven tech-savvy rafiki (translate “friend”) how it is done.

Finally, I want to mention that, as you would quickly notice by glancing on the keyboard nearest to you, the key combination that brings your Mac back to life requires some dexterity you could get from some practice with a keyboard or piano. So, lesson learned, find a piano class and start the lessons as soon as you can.

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